Rough road access is the first thing to plan around at Fish Lake Campground, a BLM-managed site set at elevation within the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management & Protection Area. The loop road typically doesn't open until early July, depending on snowmelt and road work, so the official June 10 season start doesn't always reflect actual conditions. Campers who visited in mid-June reported snow still visible in spots, with winds gusting 20 to 30 miles per hour.
The campground has 18 to 20 sites spread across open terrain beside a small high-elevation lake, and crowd levels tend to stay low. Even on a Fourth of July weekend, roughly 70 to 80 percent of sites remained open. Michael T. describes the sites as "large campsites and private." Anglers have noted what appears to be an active fish population in the lake. The campground provides drinking water, toilets, and trash service. No pets are allowed.
Temperatures drop sharply at night, falling below freezing in late May and October, so layering is essential regardless of the time of year. Burns BLM staff have been spotted on-site during the season, and at least one visitor noted they distributed detailed nature information packets to kids. Cell service is listed as available. Campers with larger RVs should note that a flatter, grass-covered site sits at the start of the access road and may be a better fit for rigs that can't handle the rougher terrain above. Jackman Park Campground, located about 1.8 miles southeast, gives campers a nearby alternative worth considering.
Description
Overview:
Fish Lake Campground is located on the flanks of Steens Mountain, within the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protective Area (CMPA). This area encompasses an extraordinary landscape with deep glacier carved-gorges, stunning scenery, wilderness, wild rivers, a rich diversity of plant and animal species, and a way of life for all who live there. At 7400-foot elevation and set among aspen stands and shore willows, Fish Lake Campground offers great opportunities for swimming, picnicking, cross-country hiking, and fishing the lake for stocked keeper trout planted by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Know Before You Go:
Open Season Fish Lake Campground is open mid-June through October.High Clearance Vehicles Recommended on some portions of the Steens Mountain Loop.23 Campsites with picnic tables and fire grates; first come, first serve.Universal Access Restroom available. Drinking Water available.America the Beautiful Pass accepted.Pack Out Your Trash.Mountain Weather can be unpredictable and change suddenly.Ticks, Mosquitos, and Rattlesnakes may be present during summer months.The Nearest Services are in the communities of Fields, Frenchglen, Crane, or Narrows, Oregon.
Point of Interest:
The Steens Mountain Loop Road is a designated Oregon State Scenic Tour Route. Travel the entire loop to experience all this unique landscapes scenic vistas and abundant mix of wildlife.
Fee Info
Camping Fees are $16/vehicle, per night, for a single car, truck, or RV and towed vehicle. Additional passenger vehicles $5/night. All sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations accepted. Please occupy site before proceeding to payment kiosk (near campground entrance) for payment. Traditional cash and check payment and electronic payment via Remote-Automated-Kiosk accepted at payment kiosk.
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Air Quality at this campground may currently be unhealthy for sensitive groups.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsFish Lake Campground is located in Oregon near Frenchglen
Directions
From Burns, Oregon, travel southeast for approximately 2 miles on State Highway 78. Turn right onto State Highway 205 and travel south for 60 miles to Frenchglen, Oregon. Continue a short distance past Frenchglen, then turn left onto the Steens Mountain Loop Road. Travel approximately 17 miles before turning right into Fish Lake Campground.
Address
Burns District Office
28910 Highway 20 West
Hines, OR 97730
Coordinates
42.740337 N
118.643732 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 23 usersLast on 8/7/26
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 23 usersLast on 8/7/26
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
Drive Time
- 3 hrs 53 min from Bend, OR
- 4 hrs 19 min from Boise, ID
- 6 hrs 3 min from Twin Falls, ID
- 6 hrs 25 min from Medford, OR










